total shade - annuals needed for front porch pots
stimpy926
19 years ago
Featured Answer
Sort by:Oldest
Comments (34)
kathicville
19 years agoRelated Discussions
Potted perennials for shade under covered porch
Comments (7)I'm thinking tall and skinny as well. My first thought was that while tall and skinny works for the placement of the pots, it wouldn't work in those tall narrow urns, making it TOO tall and skinny and bottom-empty to boot. But now, in looking again and again at your photo, I'm rethinking that. Perhaps these pots will complement and enhance the tall and skinny look. My first thought was ilex sky pencil. I'm not a great admirer of its form, but it does work well for these types of spots, and I believe it would be hardy and do well in the light conditions as well. You would have to double check the hardiness as I don't recall the exact zone off the top of my head. I think it calls for full sun but I grew one in part sun (in a pot) and it did fairly well. I ended up giving it away when I found something better for the spot. I'm also thinking of ilex Castle Wall and/or Spire, which I think are more pyramidal. Not sure again exactly of zone or conditions, or even if this is "skinny" enough, but just going off the top of my head here. Maybe ilex Earlibright? Again, sorry, not sure of zone, but I think this is a fairly narrow, upright form and would give great winter interest (if you have a pollinator nearby). I seem to have ilex on the brain today, lol. As a person who is terrified of pruning, I don't know if any of these would be amenable to pruning for size. I would think the Sky Pencil and Castle Wall would be, but not sure about the Earlibright. And this may all be for nought if the zones aren't right.... Oh, one last thought - yucca? Golden Sword is quite nice, and while in bloom would give you the height you are looking for. And I think it is zone-4 hardy, so might work for you over winter as well. Not sure about sun exposure. I did grow these in pots on my back patio for winter interest, and they looked great over the winter, but died on me in spring from some kind of (I think) fungal thing. Please let us know what you decide. This is kind of a challenge, in terms of perennials! Dee...See MoreWhat should I plant in these pots in my front porch?
Comments (10)I have a similar front door area. Mine actually faces west/southwest but since it's a fairly deep alcove, it doesn't get much sun. So, I usually put either Cyclamen or Impatiens in my pots to give my front door a little color. Here's how it looks right now: When my cyclamen are done, I just pull them out and plop them in some other area of my yard and plant Impatiens. And I don't hav any issues with Black Widows lurking in or around the pots, but then I put down poison around my entry for just that reason. Probably the rare non-organic thing I do, but way back, when I was raising my kids, I had a Black Widow scurry right across my sleeping daughter one evening. After that, I made sure I made it a deadly experience for any spider to lurk around doorways. I'm going to also replace my fountain with a 1/2 wall fountain, as I'm tired of looking at an ugly cord cover and plug. Just need to find a very shallow one as we don't have much width in our little entry area. Patty S....See MoreFormal plants for full shade front porch
Comments (3)Hostas are beautiful and very versatile, they come in so many sizes and textures and leaf colors. What about begonias? I have no luck with heuchera but many of these are so lovely. If you don't want the tall flower spikes just cut them off and use for the striking foliage, same goes for hosta....See MorePotted plants for covered front porch?
Comments (12)I'm wondering if the impatiens will bloom also. I'll try them this year and see how they bloom. That's a good idea about the cane begonias...I've never thought of putting potato vines in shade since I usually see the sweet potato vines in sun, but I may try that too. They had some very nice-looking Caledium at the nursery today, so I bought those as well as some impatiens. I also picked up a Coleus? So we'll see what that does....See Morestimpy926
19 years agojenny_in_se_pa
19 years agostimpy926
19 years agojenny_in_se_pa
19 years agodiggerdee zone 6 CT
19 years agostimpy926
19 years agokaren_b
19 years agolovemyshovel
19 years agogardengal48 (PNW Z8/9)
19 years agolovemyshovel
19 years agoannie_oakleaf5
19 years agostimpy926
19 years agopixoid
19 years agokdjoergensen
19 years agodianne1957
19 years agoteka2rjleffel
19 years agonicerealtor1
19 years agomadmouser
19 years agocat2
19 years agopdnyc
19 years agoeddiebird
19 years agostimpy926
19 years agoeddiebird
19 years agovicki_ca
19 years agobbbbosox
18 years agoSuzanneVirginia
18 years agoakblugirl
18 years agopaste592
18 years agoflowersandthings
18 years agoIna Plassa_travis
18 years agofelixzippy
18 years agogkouda
17 years ago
Related Stories
GARDENING GUIDESSuperstar Annuals for Containers and Baskets
High performing, low maintenance and all-around gorgeous, these container plants go the distance while you sit back and relax
Full StoryGARDENING GUIDESGrow a Beautiful Fall Garden in a Pot
Welcome autumn with 7 gorgeous plants that thrive in containers and enliven your porch or patio throughout the cooler season
Full StoryFURNITUREHow to Buy a Quality Sofa That Will Last
Learn about foam versus feathers, seat depth, springs, fabric and more for a couch that will work for years to come
Full StoryMAN SPACESWhy Men Really Do Need a Cave
Don't dismiss cars, bars and the kegerator — a man space of some kind is important for emotional well-being at home
Full StoryKITCHEN DESIGNKitchen of the Week: Taking Over a Hallway to Add Needed Space
A renovated kitchen’s functional new design is light, bright and full of industrial elements the homeowners love
Full StoryCURB APPEAL7 Ways to Create a Neighborly Front Yard
Foster community spirit by setting up your front porch, paths and yard for social interaction
Full StoryCONTAINER GARDENSSolve Your Garden Border Dilemmas With Planted Pots
Set your containers free from the patio — placed among plantings in the ground, they fill unsightly gaps, let you experiment and more
Full StoryLANDSCAPE DESIGNGreat Design Plant: Retreat to the Shade of Hardy Catalpa
Big foliage and a towering height provide a shady respite in summer, but that's not all hardy catalpa offers dedicated gardeners
Full StoryFUN HOUZZEverything I Need to Know About Decorating I Learned from Downton Abbey
Mind your manors with these 10 decorating tips from the PBS series, returning on January 5
Full StorySponsored
kathicville